Alan Evans Honored with Order of Canada for Neuroimaging Innovations

On July 2, 2025, Dr. Alan Evans, a distinguished neuroscientist and Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University, received the prestigious Order of Canada, one of the nation's highest honors. The award, presented by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, recognizes individuals whose contributions have significantly shaped society and inspired innovation. Dr. Evans's career has taken an unconventional path, leading to breakthroughs in neuroimaging that have influenced both science and medicine.

Dr. Evans, who also serves as co-Director of the Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health and is a Principal Investigator at McGill’s Brain Imaging Centre, expressed his gratitude: "It's overwhelming. It means you've made a substantive contribution beyond your own specific research accomplishments. As an exiled Brit, it’s nice to get recognition from my adopted homeland. It means a lot to me."

His journey began in physics, transitioning into biophysics and eventually into the realm of medicine and neuroscience. This multidisciplinary approach has become increasingly integral to contemporary scientific research. Dr. Evans noted, "At the time it was an uncharted trajectory. Now, lots of people do this multidisciplinary integration. It's now how science is conducted."

Throughout his career, Dr. Evans has published over 750 peer-reviewed papers and has been recognized as a Thomson-Reuters Highly Cited Scientist since 2014, placing him in the top one percent of researchers in the Neuroscience and Behaviour category. In 2020, he was awarded the Killam Prize, further solidifying his reputation as a leader in brain research.

Dr. Lesley Fellows, Vice-Principal (Health Affairs) and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University, praised Evans's contributions: "As one of the most highly cited researchers worldwide, Alan Evans has helped to keep Canada and McGill on the cutting-edge of brain imaging over the course of his time at the University. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is proud to count him among our ranks."

Dr. Guy Rouleau, Director of The Neuro, commended Evans for his impact on global neuroscience, stating, "Over the course of his impressive career, Alan Evans has made groundbreaking contributions to the field of neuroscience and neuroimaging. He has fostered international collaboration, leading global efforts to map the human brain, giving clinicians and researchers powerful new tools with which to push forward discovery. Congratulations to Alan on this well-deserved recognition."

The Order of Canada is awarded to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to Canada and beyond, and Dr. Evans's recognition underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in advancing scientific knowledge and health care. As neuroscience continues to evolve, the implications of Evans's work will likely resonate in future developments in brain research and mental health treatments, reinforcing Canada’s role as a leader in scientific innovation.